Anxiety Disorder Separation: A Simple Definition Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects adolescents and children who worry overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers, or other important people. They might also be concerned that separation could result in negative consequences, like getting hurt or lost.

Children with separation anxiety disorder can be treated with psychotherapy and medications. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually with encouragement and support.

Symptoms

While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people more anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this condition are worried that something bad will occur to their family member while they are separated, for example, losing their way or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that can separate them from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety however, it could be triggered by significant life changes or previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Others may see them as excessively clingy and demanding.

This condition is marked by a high level of distress when one is cut off from their family, significant stress when away from home or working, and recurring dreams of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that entail a physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or may experience a variety of physical issues like stomach pains or headaches, when they are worried about being on their own.

To diagnose this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your your child's past and present symptoms. They will ask you about your family, and other relationships to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medications are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can help you and your child understand how to handle separations through a step by procedure. The medication can relax the brain and body, as well as reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when apart from the home or close family members. Unlike normal fear and worry that people generally experience, the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting longer than four weeks for children, and up to more than six months in adults. They create major disruptions to the daily routine and functioning at school and work. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to form romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to diagnose the disorder. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms first started and what triggers the symptoms to become worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and the history of trauma dependent on the age of the person.

The provider will also try to determine if the phobia is due to another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, like an illness such as cancer or a neurological issue like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes include childhood family adversities like parental mental illness, substance abuse or child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatic events such as natural catastrophes and sexual assault, war or the death of a loved one.

It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults because there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms could be similar to the symptoms of other fears. A person who suffers from separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression in adulthood.

A variety of treatment options are available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as medications, such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. generalized anxiety disorder who suffer from this disorder can benefit from techniques and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess persists throughout the elementary school years, and is manifested by physical symptoms, and affects daily activities. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most frequent anxiety disorder seen in children, affecting up to 4 percent of them with a onset age of about 7 years.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to learn healthy ways to manage their emotions, increase self-confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated by medication, for example antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will determine the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. For example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually in small steps until they feel comfortable with them.

As children grow older, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults might still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

For many children, separation anxiety is an expected part of developing. But for others, it can become an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and prevents them from engaging in activities they like. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routine discuss it with a mental health professional.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children experience severe anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other figures of attachment. They have persistent fears about being lost, kidnapped, or having an accident that will result in the loss of loved ones to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own, or they might refuse to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at least four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to get a full picture of the situation. They may also ask questions about anxiety disorders or changes in the life, such as family history and life events that could have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger usually express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their loved ones like being worried that their parents could be injured in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is usually dismissed by them.


Children who suffer from separation anxiety are usually treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances the combination of therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children experiencing anxiety over separation. Children must be taught that their requests for parents not to leave are not valid and they will only get better if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.